A TRIAL IN THE STADT HOUSE

THE    PEOPLE   I'S.    ELIZABETH    KAY
1640

The early Dutch founders mingled liberal portions of
])iety in the secular workings of their little Colony. The
following report of a trial furnishes an authentic docu¬
ment of the quaint association of these elements. It is
taken from the early Dutch records and sets forth the
experience of a woman convicted of stealing a few kernels
of wheat.

The proceedings open with prayer which we copy from
the records.

THE PRAYER BEFORE THE COURT.

O God of Gods, and Lord of Heavenly Hosts and Merci¬
ful Father, We thank Thee that Thou hast not only created
us after Thine own Image, but also. When we were lost,
that Thou hast again received us as thine own Children
and allies; It hath moreover pleased Thee to appoint us
to the Ruling of thy People in this place; O Lord our God,
we miserable Men acknowledge that we are unworthy this
Honour. We are even too feeble and unfit to discharge
this trust, unless Thou, O God, help us to bear it. We
pray Thee, 0 ffountain of all good gifts, make us through
Thy Mercy, fit that we may faithfully and righteously
execute our imposed office; enlighten to this end the dark¬
ness of our Understanding, that We may distinguish Right
from Wrong, and Truth from Falsehood and pronounce
Justice pure and imadulterated, having fixed our Eyes on
Thy Word, which is a sure testimony, giving Wisdom
unto the lowly: Let Thy Law be a Light to our Ways
and a Lantern to our Paths, that we may never stray from
the Path of Righteousness: Let us remember that We
occupy the Judgment-seat, not of men but of God, who
seeth and heareth all. Be far from us distinction of per¬
sons,  that we may administer Justice to  Poor and  Rich,

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